Mountain View Voice

Council coverage to be posted online

The Voice went to press early this week because of the Fourth of July holiday, which means the July 3 City Council meeting is not covered in this issue.

The following council stories may be posted at mv-voice.com after the meeting:

General Plan study session

After three years of work, the city's general plan update is nearing completion. The council was set to hold a study session July 3 to consider the draft general plan, a greenhouse gas emissions reduction program, and an environmental impact report. The plan attempts to strike a balance in allowing job growth and residential growth, allowing building densities to increase in key "change areas" of the city, including North Bayshore, the Whisman area and El Camino Real. A key issue is whether to allow housing in North Bayshore to create a mixed use community. A final general plan could be approved July 10.

Steins Beer garden appeal

The council was to vote on Tuesday on Steins Beer Garden, a restaurant proposed for a vacant building at 895 Villa St. that has gained much public support. The council has been asked to overturn restrictions set by zoning administrator Peter Gilli that would not allow a viable business, applicant Ted Kim says. Citing noise concerns from a few neighbors, Gilli said the restaurant's 64-seat outdoor beer garden would have to be closed at 6 p.m. half the year, when the days are shorter, and 8 p.m. the other half. Neighbors said they did not want to add to the night- time noise problem caused by the nearby Monte Carlo nightclub, complaints that have caused quite a stir among downtown residents and businesses that support Steins.

Light rail access

Council members were to vote on spending $240,000 to explore improving pedestrian access to the NASA Ames Bayshore light rail station. Accessing it now from south of Highway 101 requires a "circuitous" route, and some "backtracking," according a city staff report, which adds that a tunnel may be needed.

Suicide prevention

A policy could be adopted by the council that directs city staff to collaborate with the county's Mental Health Department and "gain a better understanding about the causes of suicide," promote awareness of suicide prevention measures, and provide public information about suicide in the city. Mountain View's suicide rate is the sixth worst among the county's 16 cities, according to a city staff report.

Light rail access
Council members were to vote on spending $240,000 to explore improving pedestrian access to the NASA Ames Bayshore light rail station.

The whole area was a patch just to get the rail in. Poor road, walking and bike access. Now add 10,000 new worker down the road and the area becomes a commute nightmare. (The month long closure had made 237 a mess) Work with SV and get an overall plan.